Casey Holland put her hand around Paige's waist and pulled her into a side hug. "I can not believe that first year is over. I am literally over the moon," she chirped.

Paige smiled as she posed for Casey's selfie. "We ought to party hard, but I am too tired," she joked.

The annual Pharmacy dinner was in full swing, and the hall was beautifully decorated with white and gold tapestry. People were eating, drinking and having a great time. The live band were playing pleasant classical and contemporary tunes.

"You look nice by the way," Paige said to her friend. Casey was wearing an emerald green, long-sleeved gown. It matched her deep green eyes perfectly.

"Screw this," Casey said with a wave of her hand and mock disdain for her outfit.

Paige whispered, "Do not look back right now. Looks like the guy at five o'clock agrees with you."

Casey looked back immediately, and whipped her head around "Where?" she asked.

"Nope," Paige said, popping the 'p'. She pretended to look for her phone in her purse.

The guy walked towards their table and Casey giggled with excitement. Paige on the other hand, looked everywhere but at them.

"Hello, Casey. My name is Rick, would you like to dance?"

"Sure," Casey chimed, before whispering in Paige's ear, "Sorry, but I have got to go. He is the biochem hottie I told you about."

Rick gave Paige a polite nod and offered Casey his arm. They disappeared among the crowd shortly afterwards.

Paige sighed and leaned back in her chair. She regretted wearing a pastel blue, sleeveless gown. It was beautifully decorated with diamonds, and was a perfect fit on her figure. Her clear, Cinderella heels looked lovely with it, but the light blue reminded her about him.

She reasoned that after spending the first half of evening chatting and meeting people, For the rest of the evening she was going to sit her butt down before going home.

"Puedo verte, preciosa," a deep, masculine voice crooned in her ear. All thoughts ceased immediately.

Courtesy her Telemundo obsession, she knew it meant 'May I see you, precious?'

She turned around sharply to see who it was.

"Fiddlesticks! Mr Rochester?"
'Damn, he looks delicious,' she thought as she looked at him from head to toe. Brian was wearing a midnight black tailored suit and a bow tie. His hair was combed to the side in an alluring mess.

He bit his lip and looked deep into her eyes and offered her his arm. "Hola querida," he said huskily.

Paige stepped away from her table slowly. She slipped her arm in his and tried to ignore his musky pine scented body. "I am still mad at you, Mr Rochester," she said with gritted teeth.

"Sure you are," Brian replied cockily.

He guided her to the glass doors which opened to the small botanical garden outside, and down the steps to an outdoor canopy. Moonlight shone through the trees and the fresh scent of roses and daisies surrounded them. They sat on decorative chairs face to face, and Brian was delighted to spend some time with her alone.

Brian clutched both her hands in his. "Paige, I am so sorry. Please forgive me," he said. After rehearsing the talk, one look at her chestnut eyes made him get straight to the point.

"I hate you!" Paige shouted as her eyes clouded with tears.

"No, you don't," Brian replied quietly. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and gently dabbed at her eyes.

Brian pulled her into a hug. "I missed you so much, Paige. Everyday, I longed for when we will be together again," he said, with his head buried in the crook of her neck.

"Why did you-" Her voice trailed off. "Do not bother answering that question," she chuckled without mirth. "You already explained your reason for leaving with those Sherlock Holmes cryptic questions."

Paige drew away from his warmth, and felt cold at the loss of contact. She delicately tapped her hair like Beyoncé to see if her slick top knot was still intact. "This mothertrucker wants to mess up my hair," she mumbled.

A smile played on Brian's lips. "You look sensational and your hair is lovely, Paige."

She folded her arms and scowled, "Thank you, Mr-"

"Brian."

"What?"

"Call me by my name."

"Um, okay."

There was silence, except for the birds chirping in a tree nearby. The evening wind gently shook the trees.

"Congratulations on successful your presentation today. It was great."

"Thank you, Mr- Brian," Paige replied quietly.

"Say it again," Brian teased.

Paige rolled her eyes but smiled, "No, you heard me the first time."

Brian laughed, got up and extended his hand to her. They strolled together, hand in hand to a nearby water fountain. It was illuminated with indigo lights.

"Why did you bring me here?" Paige asked.

"I brought you here because we need the perfect setting," Brian said huskily.

He put his hands on her waist and drew her closer. Paige put her hands on his chest instinctively. They looked into each other's eyes and time stopped. The faint sound of the background music got softer and slow music started playing.

"I-"

"I-"

They both smiled. "What did you want to say, Paige?"

"I missed you, too," she admitted. "You should have told me why you left."

"It was too hard to say goodbye, but I am back for good now."

Paige nodded in understanding. "What did you-"

Brian silenced her with a passionate kiss. Paige melted into his arms and swooned. If not for his strong hands holding her firmly, she may have fainted. Her mind and body responded with equal passion. He drew away from the kiss, and cupped her cheeks in his hands gently.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too, Brian."

Suddenly, Paige grabbed his collar and growled, "Mate!"

His eyes widened in shock when she drew him into a kiss that left him dizzy with excitement.

"I have created a monster," he joked in between kisses.

"The monster has always been here," Paige growled into his lips.

A camera flash broke their kiss.

"What?" they both exclaimed

"Hello, lovebirds," Jane called cheerfully. "Both of you should thank me," she said, pointing her hand from Brian to Paige. They looked at her with shocked faces.

Brian looked open mouthed at Jane, his PhD colleague. "What are you-"

"How many people can boast of a photo of the first kiss with their sweetheart?" Jane asked.

"She has a point," Paige whispered.

"Paige," Brian groaned.

Jane walked towards them and handed Paige her phone. "Send it to your phone and delete it from mine. I don't back up photos."

Brian shook his head in disbelief. Jane winked at him and mouthed, 'This one is a keeper' as she pointed at Paige, and gave him a thumbs up sign.

Paige returned Jane's phone and smiled. "Thank you, Jane."

Jane walked away and responded that they were welcome and she better be the godmother of their kids.

"I can not believe that you handled that rationally, Paige. She was spying on us."

Paige tilted her head and tapped her chin, "You are right, but look at the bigger picture. We have a special moment captured on photo."

"Forever," Brian interjected, with a smile as bright as sunshine.

"Cheers to new beginnings," Paige chimed.

"Cheers," Brian quipped. "Let me take you home.

"No, let me take you home. I got a car after I started a paid internship at Carlson Pharmaceuticals," Paige replied.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Role reversal?"

She held his hand and led him away from the fountain and around the hall to her car. "We can trade places tonight. Get in the car," she said huskily.

Brian swore under his breath. Domineering Paige was his favourite and he was already hooked.

Paige got in the car and put her hands on the steering wheel. She looked at Brian in the passenger seat and he gazed at her with a dreamy look on his face. She arched a suspicious eyebrow.

"Have you been drinking, Brian? You look hammered."

"I am drunk in love."

"You have got to be kidding me. That was so cheesy," Paige groaned as she put her key in the ignition.

"But it was kinda hot," Brian joked.

Paige laughed as she revved the engine. She felt proud of where she had come from and the woman she had become. Independently, she felt complete and Brian was an amazing bonus. There would be stormy days ahead, but after every storm the sun would shine again.

It was a new dawn, and she was ready to 'Turn the Paige.'

---

Thank you so much for reading my story. I appreciate all your support. If you enjoyed this story, please consider my new teen fic, The Roseview High Rumor. It is ongoing with regular updates. You can check for it on my profile or find it here:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/301024676